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Handshake with

Hi. I hand shake with friend. 5 sec later i clean my lips with my hand. It was cut on lips but not deep cut and no bleedind. I saw blood on my hand and touch my cut lips. Than i saw my friend hand is cut and litle blood. I need test I afraid pls help me..and whos. Ansvering in this site. Drs ..thans

Answer:

Hi there and thank you for reaching out to AIDS Vancouver with your questions! We're happy to help.

To answer your question, the situation that you described above does not constitute a risk for HIV transmission. To help with my explanation, here is a copy of the AIDS Vancouver transmission equation that we use to determine whether or not there is a risk for transmission:

HIV TRANSMISSION EQUATION

BODY FLUID

+

ACTIVITY

+

DIRECT ACCESS TO BLOODSTREAM

• blood (including menstrual)

• unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse

• vagina

• semen

• sharing needles

• anus

• pre-cum

• mother to child (in specific cases)

• urethra in the penis

• rectal secretions

• open cuts and sores (in theory)

• vaginal fluids

• other mucosal membranes

• breast milk

• points of needle injection

= RISK OF HIV TRANSMISSION

In order for there to be a risk of HIV transmission, all 3 factors (body fluid, activity, and direct access to the bloodstream) must be present. The main thing lacking in your interaction is direct access to the bloodstream. In order for a cut or wound to provide said access, the cut needs to be gushing blood and require immediate and professional medical attention. A small cut like the one described in your question does not provide direct access to the bloodstream.

If you’re interested, here are some great resources to help further your understand about HIV Transmission:

AIDS Vancouver plays a special role in providing quality health care to people affected by HIV/AIDS living in the Lower Mainland. It is clearly more than just a community health care organization. It is an organization whose presence and continued strength is essential to the quality for life of this community and of each individual and family who draws on its services. Our Agency is a vital community asset which everyone affected by HIV/AIDS can share, and in which we all have a stake.